Which should I get: 2011 Sienna or 2011 Odyssey?

I haven’t heard anything about either one that would put one over the other in my opinion, so it would come down to the driving for me.

Check Consumer Reports.

Get the ‘Swagger Wagon’.

The all-new Sienna is available now. I don’t think the all-new Odyssey is yet… they’re still selling 2010’s (as of 18JUN2010).

I own an Odyssey. It’s nicknamed the “sportscar of minivans”, which sounds dumb, but it really does offer a fantastic ride and great performance. I’ve criss-crossed the country in mine and it does a great job.

So, I’d definitely go look at the Sienna – they offer way more option packages and all-wheel drive than Honda – but I’m already likely to give the Odyssey my first preference.

The thing with Toyota is that there are 20 different option packages to choose from. Makes my brain hurt.

We picked the Sienna over the Odyssey (2005) because the Odyssey package with the powered rear gate would cost $2000 more. Honda actually had too few option packages, with too much price difference between.

I agree with @Seaofclouds – go test drive. Our Sienna has some kind of software inhibit: if you lightly brake, then jump on the gas, it will not respond for 2 sec. It’s hard to take a corner fast that way. The Odyssey will respond immediately, hence the nickname.

I used to drive only Honda’s until I tried my first Toyota…and that was it, it’s been Toyota’s ever since. A more reliable brand I have never experienced.

I have a 10 year old Sienna with 130,000 miles on it that has never needed more than routine maintenance, tires and occasional brake pads. Can’t beat that.

I have a 15 year old Acura (built by Honda) that has 130,000 miles on it, and has never needed more than routing maintenance too. It is much more fun to drive than any of our Toyota’s. I think it really comes down to one’s preference in what the vehicle offers. I prefer a sporty ride to a “couch on wheels”.

I adore my 2000 Odyssey, but have never driven a Sienna. The Honda is a great ride and very dependable, and actually has a surprising amount of kick for a minivan. One issue my Odyssey has, and many Odysseys have, is that the transmission failed around 90K. I have heard that they didn’t fix this issue with the new models, but you should look into this – might just be a rumor, and they did address the problem years ago.

They are both great vehicles, which I think is why nobody here is trying to say that one is better than the other. I guess it all comes down to personal preference, along with the best deal you can make.

We bought a new 2012 Sienna in December and have since driven it on a cross-country trip and two round-trip journeys between Florida and New York City. A wonderful vehicle, and we couldn’t be happier with it.

Like you, we at first tried for available used 2011’s, but the asking prices (even from private sellers) were pretty high. When a Toyota dealership offered the new 2012 for about $1,500 less than anything I could find used, we jumped on it.

Anyway, I think that you can’t go wrong with either choice….